Amazon Studios and IllumiNative Collaborate on Episodical Directors Program

Amazon Studios and the Indigenous-led racial justice group IllumiNative unveiled their collaboration to initiate the inaugural IllumiNative Episodical Directors Program. This year-long initiative aims to offer resources and practical experience to up-and-coming and mid-level Indigenous film and television directors. Participants will have the opportunity to shadow directors during the second season of Outer Range, a series featuring an Indigenous character as part of its core ensemble. The first group of directors participating in the program includes Razelle Benally, Daniel Hyde, Christopher Cegielski, and Peshawn Bread.

“Over the past few years, we have seen the huge success of Native content on streaming platforms—the demand for the nuance and complexity that Native-led shows bring to the screen is undeniable,” said IllumiNative’s founder and executive director Crystal Echo Hawk in a statement. “In order to meet this demand, we have to ensure Native creatives are provided with the resources and opportunities to succeed in an industry that has historically forgotten or dismissed Native peoples.”

The relationship IllumNative has established with Amazon Studios will be expanded with this program that has already consulted with Amazon on three of their original series, Outer Range, The English, and Three Pines.

The firm is committed to developing stories and characters by and about Native Americans, according to Latasha Gillespie, head of diversity, equity, and inclusion at Amazon Studios.